I'm auditing several commercial accounts on CPS Energy's G-4 TOU rate here in San Antonio and noticing discrepancies in how seasonal TOU windows are being applied. The published tariff shows different peak periods for summer versus winter months, but some bills appear to be using summer windows year-round. Has anyone else worked with CPS Energy's seasonal TOU schedules? The rate differences are significant - talking about $3,000-4,000 monthly impact for my larger clients.
CPS Energy TOU rate G-4 - are seasonal windows being applied correctly?
Angela, I've seen similar issues with seasonal TOU rates at Austin Energy. Their billing systems sometimes don't automatically switch between summer and winter schedules on the correct dates. You need to verify that CPS is applying the right seasonal windows based on the actual billing period dates. Pull several months of interval data and check if the peak/off-peak hours match the published seasonal schedule for each month.
Nancy's right about billing system issues with seasonal switches. JEA here in Jacksonville had problems with their seasonal TOU transitions for years. Their system would stick on summer rates through October instead of switching to winter windows in September. The utility claimed it was intentional but the tariff clearly stated September 1st transition dates. Filed complaints and got refunds for multiple clients. Check CPS's exact transition dates in their tariff.
Rob, I checked the G-4 tariff and CPS defines summer season as May through October, winter as November through April. But looking at my clients' bills, they're getting charged summer peak rates (2 PM to 8 PM) in November and December when winter rates (5 PM to 9 PM) should apply. The peak period is 3 hours shorter in winter but bills show the longer summer window. This is definitely a billing system error.
Angela, that's a clear tariff violation if CPS is applying summer windows during winter months. PECO here in Philadelphia has similar seasonal TOU rates and I always verify the transition dates carefully. Document everything with bill copies showing the wrong seasonal windows applied, then file a formal complaint with the Texas PUC. CPS should have to recalculate all affected bills and pay refunds plus interest.
Phil N., I've documented the errors across 8 different client accounts spanning November 2013 through April 2014. Every winter month shows summer TOU windows being applied incorrectly. Total overcharges are approaching $25,000 just for my clients - probably hundreds of thousands system-wide if this affected all G-4 customers. Filed with the Texas PUC yesterday and copied CPS management. Expecting pushback but the evidence is overwhelming.